Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-03-08
the announcement Of . sale was generally
made BY public crier with . hand bell.

The announcement Of q sale was generally
made BY public crier with hand bell.
FoRr MARION
This fort formerly bore the name San Juan
de Pinos, later San Marco, and finally 1t was
called Fl. Marion. 1t was built after plans
of the celebrated engineer Vauban The
walls of this fort, which are 81 feet high and
| about IL feet thick, are built entirely OF CO.
quina. 1t covers about four acres OF ground
and commands the harbor and sea entrance.
For more than so years . large number of In
dams worked on its construction. 1t was
great undertaking, as all the material had to
be cut and transported from Anastasla Island.
The work on this fort was commenced IN 1890,
and finished in 1855. 1t mounts IuO
guns and takes q garrison OF 900 men Inc
means of entrance was formerly BY draw
bridge.
On entering the fort the visitor is shown
the chapel which is in one of the easements,
and in which can still be seen the inches
which held the vessels of holy water; the
Judgment Hall. in which courts-martial were
held; and the dungeon where criminals were
placed This dungeon is a dark, gloomy cell,
20 feet in length. 6 IN width and in height
into which not even one cheering ray OF light
can enter BY the falling in of wall in 1886
another dungeon was disclosed in which was
found skeleton with iron bands on its wrists,
and which were, by means OF chains fastentd
to the wall. Bv ascending an inclined plane
at the right of the entrance the visitor can
reach the parapet of the fort. where years
ago were mounted heavy guns.
This fort is an object of special interest
to the visitor at the present time, from the
fact that about 200 Indians of Geronimo's
band are imprisoned here. They are not
pleasant to look at, and one would hardly
think them capable of the numerous atrocities
of which thew are accused. and which. we
fear, are but too true Many curiosities and
souvenirs can be purchased Of them,
The streets of St. Augustine are, as a rule,
narrow, VARYING from to 81 feet in width.
There is some dispute as to the Oldest house
but most anv of them are old enough to
please the visitor. But one must not forget
to mention
ANAsTAsIA ISLAND,
a narrow "trip of land opposite the CITY. On
this island is a fine lighthouse. erected in
1873 at cost of 100000, the revolving
lantern alone costing $4,000, The coquina
quarries are found on this islanl and from
these quarries was obtained all the material
of which the fort walls and buildings of St.
Augustine were constructed. This cOquina
is conglomerate of shells and sand, formed
bv the action of the sea. There also will be
seen the ruins of Fort Matanzas, built about
$50 years ago.
MINOR POINTS OF INTEREST.
The United States barracks are situated
near the centre of the town The building
which they occupy was formerly a convent.
What a change! From the quiet and peace
of that holy life which seeks to elevate
humanity, to the rattle and clash of arms
which have no other end in view than to
destroy life.
The sea wall is about one mile in length.
This wall was commenced 10y the Spaniards
in 1890, a portion of which was completed.
The United States took hold of the works in
1887. rebuilding and extending it. 1t was fin
ished in l843. The wall has wide top and is
favorite promenade on moonlight evenings
for lovers, and our guide kindly informed us
that MANY happy matches had been made
there.
The handsomest public park in
Florida is the Plaza de la
Constitution in st. Augustine. In this park,
| near the centre, is monument some 20 feet
in height, erected in memory of the "Spanish
Liberal Constitution" in 1912. There is
| quite long inscription on one side of the
base. Under the date appears the Masonic
emblem of the square and compass. As the
city council and nearly all the citizens were
catholics, it is a great wonder how this SYM
Dol came there. and number of interesting
stories are told in explanation. There is also
a confederate monument in this Plaza erect
ed in 1872, and properly inscribed.
| Like all Florida towns, st. Augustine is
blessed with numerous hotels and boarding
houses. The Ponce de Leon, now in process
of construction, is said to eclipse anything in
the hotel line in the United States, and after
viewing it one can we'll believe it. 1t i,
stated that the cost will be about SO 900 900.
OF st Augustine's beautiful drives and views
space will not permit me to speak.
| YANKEE.